generate a captivating overview of our current metaverse existence
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Chapter 1: The Metaverse Reality
Reflecting on last September, I found myself waking up to Slack notifications, consumed by work. It wasn’t just a distraction; it was a manifestation of how deeply I was enmeshed in my professional life. My phone’s calls would invade my dreams, provoking anxiety over yet another screen I’d soon be facing. My existence revolved around Zoom, Slack, and Gmail, leaving me oblivious to the world beyond this digital bubble.
Unbeknownst to me, I was already navigating a Web 2.0 metaverse long before I grasped the full scope of its meaning. The rapid advancements and significant milestones in our digital lives often go unrecognized, including the emergence of the metaverse—an intriguing concept that contemplates living within a blockchain framework.
But are we, in fact, already experiencing life in the metaverse? Let’s delve deeper.
The Web 2.0 Metaverse
Recently, I caught myself humming popular reel songs while sitting at the dinner table, much to my sister's annoyance. She suggested I limit my Instagram usage, a reasonable request, but my connection to social media ran deeper than that. I often engaged with filters while capturing moments, and I found myself using my avatar more than my actual photos.
Sometimes, the games I immersed myself in would invade my thoughts as I completed mundane chores. In essence, we are already part of a Ready Player One scenario crafted by tech giants.
According to the Oxford dictionary, the metaverse is defined as a virtual-reality environment where users can interact with both a computer-generated setting and each other. In the context of Web 3.0, this metaverse expands to include immersive experiences facilitated by augmented and virtual reality. It represents a progression of our digital identities—our online lives and the connections we forge with others in the digital realm.
As the boundaries between our virtual and physical existences blur, the metaverse is weaving itself into the fabric of our lives. The irony is that we often remain unaware of it. We hear the sounds of trending reels, engage with digital filters, purchase virtual assets, and communicate with acquaintances we’ve met online—essentially living a semi-virtual existence.
The absence of Oculus or similar equipment may obscure the reality of our engagement in the metaverse, but it exists seamlessly, often just a click away. Without the need for wallets or avatars on many platforms, the metaverse is already operational.
Avatars, NFTs, and fantastical virtual realities are crucial components of the metaverse, yet the core principles echo what we’ve experienced in earlier iterations of the internet. Chris Dixon, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, echoes this sentiment in a recent tweet.
The introduction of 3D filters and vividly immersive virtual spaces has made the internet feel more tangible. With companies investing vast sums into the metaverse and Facebook's rebranding to Meta, interest in the concept has surged. People are beginning to treat it as the future of the internet, where decentralization and ownership present lucrative opportunities.
Recent studies indicate that in 2021, individuals spent an average of seven hours online daily, a statistic that is hardly surprising given the prevalence of remote work and entertainment options like binge-watching Netflix and gaming. All of this is steering us toward living in the metaverse, where we can craft a second life online. Yet, in reality, we are already doing just that.
Living in the Metaverse
When the tech revolution first unfolded, individuals created simple one-page websites. Over time, these evolved into more dynamic platforms with images, videos, and live broadcasts. This evolution fostered a greater sense of connection among users.
Current technology allows us to immerse ourselves in the internet, making it feel like home. For some, this might mean purchasing virtual real estate in platforms like Decentraland or Bit Country; for others, it simply involves spending hours on their phones to engage with their communities or explore a new virtual identity.
The future metaverse promises to amalgamate various facets of our lives—work, entertainment, and social interaction—into a singular virtual space, and this is precisely what we have been doing all along.
Wondering how creators can navigate and capitalize on the metaverse?
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